as in criminal
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
some sociologists specialize in studying the lawbreaking elements of society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in crime
a breaking of a moral or legal code
even something as simple as littering is considered an example of lawbreaking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in criminality
activities that are in violation of the laws of the state
an outbreak of lawbreaking plagued the city in the months following the end of the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lawbreaking
CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
The sponsor of the employer crime bill said that lawbreaking was wrong and the bill is constitutional.
—Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Barack Obama pledged to look forward and not backwards, not only closing the door on prosecutions for executive lawbreaking but also failing to hold accountable those responsible for the 2008 financial crisis and the ensuing Great Recession.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
While the governor’s benevolent instincts are laudable, leniency here would only invite more lawbreaking, and ultimately, more suffering — in Colorado and beyond.
—Max Potter, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
But Bondi demanding compliance before any lawbreaking by protesters is the same thing for which her own FBI is investigating six members of Congress who called on our military not to obey unlawful orders.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Rather than portraying Cracolândia’s inhabitants as violent, lawbreaking addicts, Som da Maloka captures their artistry as singers, musicians, and poets, with Escobar putting their talents on full display through local carnival parades organized by his Blocolândia initiative.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Chaffin said that even in June, while protests in Los Angeles had drawn thousands of people and were violent, those in Portland were smaller and any lawbreaking was managed by local police.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
These criminal employers profit from lawbreaking.
—CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
The sponsor of the employer crime bill said that lawbreaking was wrong and the bill is constitutional.
—Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Barack Obama pledged to look forward and not backwards, not only closing the door on prosecutions for executive lawbreaking but also failing to hold accountable those responsible for the 2008 financial crisis and the ensuing Great Recession.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
While the governor’s benevolent instincts are laudable, leniency here would only invite more lawbreaking, and ultimately, more suffering — in Colorado and beyond.
—Max Potter, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
But Bondi demanding compliance before any lawbreaking by protesters is the same thing for which her own FBI is investigating six members of Congress who called on our military not to obey unlawful orders.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Rather than portraying Cracolândia’s inhabitants as violent, lawbreaking addicts, Som da Maloka captures their artistry as singers, musicians, and poets, with Escobar putting their talents on full display through local carnival parades organized by his Blocolândia initiative.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Chaffin said that even in June, while protests in Los Angeles had drawn thousands of people and were violent, those in Portland were smaller and any lawbreaking was managed by local police.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawbreaking
Adjective
-
When Richards began his career in criminal-justice advocacy, the idea of closing Rikers Island would have been a radical fantasy.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Jayvon Boyd, 27, was charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the stabbing, which occurred the day before.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Anti-gang units, officials say, form the backbone of the department’s crime fighting efforts in neighborhoods plagued by gang violence.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
But that, again, doesn’t stop the crime.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The agency is on the clock with its investigations, mandated by the state to complete accident investigations within six months, and, sources said, delays affect its ability to assess fines and determine criminality, and may have harmed families ability to receive restitution.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
-
But the public image was always one of criminality rather than survival.—
Pablo Larios,
Artforum,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
-
Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
Noun
-
Garcia Martinez was processed for federal immigration law violations and transported to a detention facility with detainers to ensure extradition to New York after final adjudication of the immigration violations, CBP said.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
But a confidential internal audit later seemed to suggest body camera misuse was more widespread, finding similar violations among patrol officers in three other divisions, including 77th Street.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Artist Sean Gordon Murphy has always had a rebellious indie streak to his work.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
-
The Clash are singing of a city aflame, the Sex Pistols are somehow getting more popular after imploding on tour, and on every street corner, mohawks and safety pins are on rebellious display.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
And, as a heterosexual couple, wasn’t living in sin our final, sole, tiny act of rebellion?—
Eva Wiseman,
Vogue,
7 May 2026
-
Pushing a pill was not the company’s worst sin — marketing was.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Unwilling to take orders or play by the rules of polite society, the two partner up as a bookmaker and his enforcer and run an illicit gambling operation that proves highly profitable — but dangerous.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
4 May 2026
-
Mixing or using it with alcohol, prescription drugs, or illicit substances can significantly slow breathing and lead to death.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lawbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawbreaking. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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